NY Knicks fans’ most hated players they’ve played against: Video
These are New York Knicks fans’ most hated opponents, ranked.
After a thrilling, back-and-forth Game 6 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, the Knicks are on to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson − who had a playoff-low 16 points in Game 5 of the first-round series − bounced back in a huge way in the series clincher, scoring a game-high 40 points, including the winning three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left in the Knicks’ 116-113 victory in Detroit.
New York advances to the second round for a third consecutive season, a road block the franchise hasn’t surpassed since the 1999-2000 season when they lost in six games to the Reggie Miller-led Indiana Pacers.
The Knicks already know their second-round opponent, as they face the Boston Celtics with Game 1 set for Monday, May 5 at TD Garden. The entire schedule for the series officially posted.
Now facing a heavily-favored Boston squad, can the Knicks pull off the upset over the defending champions?
Here’s everything you need to know for Knicks vs. Celtics, including the betting odds, our preview and prediction on which Atlantic Division team will advance to the Eastern Conference finals:
Knicks vs Celtics playoff schedule
Best-of-seven; Games 5-7 if necessary.
Game 1, Monday, May 5 at TBA.:Â Knicks at Celtics, TD GardenGame 2, Wednesday, May 7 at TBA:Â Knicks at Celtics, TD Garden, TBAGame 3, Saturday, May 10 at TBA:Â Celtics at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, TBAGame 4, Monday, May 12 at TBA:Â Celtics at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, TBAGame 5, Wednesday, May 14 at TBA:Â Knicks at Celtics, TD Garden, TBA (if necessary)Game 6, Friday, May 16 at TBA:Â Celtics at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, TBA (if necessary)Game 7, Monday, May 19 at TBA:Â Knicks at Celtics, TD Garden, TBA (if necessary)Knicks vs Celtics playoff history
This is the first time these two divisional foes have met in the playoffs in 12 years, when the Knicks took down the Celtics in six games in the first round of the 2013 playoffs.
In the last 34 years, New York and Boston have only met one other time, the 2011 postseason when the Celtics got the better of the Knicks in a four-game sweep.
The last time the Knicks and Celtics met in the playoffs past the first round was 41 years ago in the 1984 postseason, when Boston took down New York in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Celtics went on to win the NBA championship over the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.
Knicks vs Celtics head-to-head regular season results
Oct. 22:Â Celtics 132, Knicks 109
Feb. 8: Celtics 131, Knicks 104
Feb. 23:Â Celtics 118, Knicks 105
April 8:Â Celtics 119, Knicks 117 (OT)
Knicks vs Celtics Game 1 odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 2
Spread:Â Knicks +8.5 (-110), Celtics -8.5 (-110)
Total:Â Over 214.5 points (-110), Under 214.5 points (-110)
Moneyline:Â Knicks (+290), Celtics (-375)
Knicks vs Celtics second-round series odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 2
Knicks:Â +550 (Bet $100 to win $550)
Celtics:Â -800 (Bet $800 to win $100)
After being heavy favorites against the Pistons, it’s now the Knicks who are heavy underdogs against the reigning champions who have home court advantage.
Knicks vs Celtics prediction
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, the Knicks haven’t been able to figure out how to beat the Celtics.
New York’s lost eight of the last nine meetings, with the lone exception being a 118-109 Knicks’ victory on April 11, 2024.
Will the Knicks keep it more competitive than the Magic, who the Celtics beat in five games and had all four victories by nine or more points? I believe they will.
However, the star talent and more importantly the depth of Boston will be too much for New York to handle, as the Celtics defeat the Knicks in six games.
Odds to win 2024-25 NBA championship
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 2
Oklahoma City Thunder:Â +150
Boston Celtics:Â 2/1 (+200)
Cleveland Cavaliers:Â 5/1 (+500)
Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves:Â 18/1 (+1500)
Los Angeles Clippers:Â 30/1 (+3000)
New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets: 40/1 (+4000)
Indiana Pacers:Â 66/1 (+6600)
Houston Rockets:Â 125/1 (+12500)